On January 8, 2011, a gunman opened fire on a group of people gathered outside a Safeway grocery store in Tucson, Arizona, killing six people and injuring 13 others, including then-U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. The attack sent shockwaves through the nation and raised questions about the motives and mental state of the shooter, Jared Lee Loughner.
Loughner, a 22-year-old man with a history of mental illness, had been stalking Giffords for months before the shooting. He had posted angry and threatening messages on the internet, and had even written a letter to Giffords in which he claimed that she was "a traitor" and a "monster." In the days leading up to the shooting, Loughner had been acting increasingly erratic and delusional, and had made several attempts to contact Giffords.
On the morning of the shooting, Loughner drove to the Safeway store where Giffords was holding a constituent event. He waited outside the store until Giffords arrived, and then opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun. He shot Giffords in the head, and then continued to fire at other people in the crowd, killing six people and injuring 13 others.
who shot gabby giffords
On January 8, 2011, a gunman named Jared Lee Loughner opened fire on a group of people gathered outside a Safeway grocery store in Tucson, Arizona. The attack left six people dead and 13 others injured, including then-U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
- Jared Lee Loughner
- Mentally ill gunman
- Targeted Giffords
- Killed six people
- Injured 13 others
- Motive unclear
- Sentenced to life
Loughner was apprehended at the scene and later pleaded guilty to 19 charges, including murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jared Lee Loughner
Jared Lee Loughner was a 22-year-old man with a history of mental illness when he shot and injured then-U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and killed six other people in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011.
- Troubled past: Loughner had a history of mental illness and had been in and out of treatment for several years. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was taking medication for his condition.
- Obsessed with Giffords: Loughner had become increasingly obsessed with Giffords in the months leading up to the shooting. He had posted angry and threatening messages about her on the internet, and had even written her a letter in which he claimed that she was "a traitor" and a "monster."
- Targeted Giffords: On the morning of the shooting, Loughner drove to the Safeway store where Giffords was holding a constituent event. He waited outside the store until Giffords arrived, and then opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun. He shot Giffords in the head, and then continued to fire at other people in the crowd, killing six people and injuring 13 others.
- Motive unclear: Loughner's motive for the shooting is still unclear. Some experts believe that he was motivated by his mental illness, while others believe that he was motivated by political or ideological beliefs.
Loughner was apprehended at the scene and later pleaded guilty to 19 charges, including murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.